Is it because you are the one writing this article (absolutely wonderful as usual!!)? or is it the new coach? My hope is growing and growing. Leaning English as a second language as an adult is not easy. He must have a lot of passion for hockey and coaching hockey to overcome this. I can't wait for the next season. Thank you Craig!
He comes across as more than a coach, but not necessarily out of necessity and that the Coyotes can't afford him not to wear multiple hats unlike saying a coaching hire in Toronto. Instead, he's clearly a lifelong learner and it sounds like he could have been competently hired on as something other than a coach, such as a draft analyst or scout. The knowledge he brings on the upcoming generations of players coming out Québec makes me wonder if we'll steer towards there in not so distant drafts to find some hidden gems.
I'm excited to see how he can transform this team and bring the younger players up to speed, develop their skills and give everyone a fair shake! On another note, I want to renew, do I just subscribe again or will there be a renew button soon? Old lady tech issues...
After watching the press conference on you tube and every interview I could find, I am so psyched up about the Bear. Finally, we will have a coach. Someone who knows the game but loves his players enough to not let them have a free ride. We have had so many passengers on this team over the last few years. I will be in the arena every night cheering for the Yotes because of the Bear. I dont care if they win a single game as long as they work their ass off for each other and the fans.
If the Bear's philosophy takes hold, they will. Looking forward to the passengers shipped out or sitting in the pressbox. Those picks LA gave up for Arvidson should have come to Arizona for Kessel. One less passenger.
Great Article as usual Craig!! He sounds like a down to earth guy! I look forward to seeing the team gel with him and become a winning franchise again!!
He's saying all the right things. Hopefully it translates to the ice. A true leader though. Commands respect. I think the players will respond well. At least I hope anyways. That Shane Doan blessing shouldn't be undervalued. Nobody knows AZ more than Shane Doan.
I love his personality. I love his perspective. I love how self-deprecating he is. I love the variety of coaching and managing experiences that he has had. I love his philosophy.
And none of that means a damn thing until he proves that he can do it on this stage. And he won’t have the pieces to prove that he can do it on this stage for at least a couple of seasons.
Thank you for again bringing the most in depth Coyote related news coverage. Army did himself proud on this hire and gives us hope for a better product on the ice. It will take time to become true contenders but I enjoy a competitive game, win or lose, where our boys are giving it all they can. I support players, not the jerseys on their back so I want to see everyone get a chance to do their best regardless of their name or their fame. His connection to Halifax bodes well for a good outcome for Conor Garland. His time with Moncton only overlapped The Bears last year and The Conor first year but given his relationships with those in the area I'm sure he's more aware than most how The Conor rose to the top CHL scorer for two years. I believe The Conor will be treated fairly in contract negotiations and/or trades with character people like The Doaner and The Bear in the mix.
Sounds like the kind of coach that can do just well in the draft room as they can behind the bench. But the most exciting word I'm hearing used to describe him: Culture builder. As a Iowa State Cyclone fan, I'm seeing the absolute wonders that can come from having a culture builder at the helm of the football program. Obviously he has to go out and do it, and there are plenty of differences...but I think this Yotes team is in need of a culture build. Hopefully ownership is ready for the struggles that will come with this experience over the next couple years.
He's not one of the usual re-tread coaching hires. Meruello and GMBA want to try new things because the usual stuff hasn't worked here. There really isn't a good road ahead for the Yotes franchise, but the Bear could find a way that could pay off. I look at where Carolina was Tom Dundon took over, and where they are now... and I have expectations.
Like his attitude and that great self effacing line:
"I won coach of the year in the Q and I always joke that it was because they could not understand what I was saying.”
Curious to know who Armstrong was referring to when he commented during the press conf:
"There’s kind of a famous story of an organization I kind of grew up in where we went and got a great player but the coach didn‘t like him and he never played him...."
It sounds to me that we have another cornerstone piece along with Chychrun, Kemper/Hill and Garland. Love the response of how effective Andre will be with Crouse, Pitlick, Lybushkin, Hayton and others that a need push to be more than effective. Love your product Craig, keep up the effective sports/Coyotes journalism.
Is it because you are the one writing this article (absolutely wonderful as usual!!)? or is it the new coach? My hope is growing and growing. Leaning English as a second language as an adult is not easy. He must have a lot of passion for hockey and coaching hockey to overcome this. I can't wait for the next season. Thank you Craig!
It was such a great anecdote.
He comes across as more than a coach, but not necessarily out of necessity and that the Coyotes can't afford him not to wear multiple hats unlike saying a coaching hire in Toronto. Instead, he's clearly a lifelong learner and it sounds like he could have been competently hired on as something other than a coach, such as a draft analyst or scout. The knowledge he brings on the upcoming generations of players coming out Québec makes me wonder if we'll steer towards there in not so distant drafts to find some hidden gems.
The collection of scouting minds in this organization is one of its most promising aspects in my opinion.
I'm excited to see how he can transform this team and bring the younger players up to speed, develop their skills and give everyone a fair shake! On another note, I want to renew, do I just subscribe again or will there be a renew button soon? Old lady tech issues...
https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045091251-Will-my-subscription-automatically-renew-
After watching the press conference on you tube and every interview I could find, I am so psyched up about the Bear. Finally, we will have a coach. Someone who knows the game but loves his players enough to not let them have a free ride. We have had so many passengers on this team over the last few years. I will be in the arena every night cheering for the Yotes because of the Bear. I dont care if they win a single game as long as they work their ass off for each other and the fans.
I hope they at least win one game. Maybe even two!
If the Bear's philosophy takes hold, they will. Looking forward to the passengers shipped out or sitting in the pressbox. Those picks LA gave up for Arvidson should have come to Arizona for Kessel. One less passenger.
I suspect Kessel will be traded soon.
What about OEL? Another passenger.
They are trying.
That passenger did lead the team in scoring. I'm excited to see what he can do with the underachievers: Keller, Fischer, Schmaltz and even Dvo.
Great Article as usual Craig!! He sounds like a down to earth guy! I look forward to seeing the team gel with him and become a winning franchise again!!
Better be patient.
This is a fantastic piece Craig. Thank you!
Thank you, Trent. I really appreciate that.
He's saying all the right things. Hopefully it translates to the ice. A true leader though. Commands respect. I think the players will respond well. At least I hope anyways. That Shane Doan blessing shouldn't be undervalued. Nobody knows AZ more than Shane Doan.
All true.
I love his personality. I love his perspective. I love how self-deprecating he is. I love the variety of coaching and managing experiences that he has had. I love his philosophy.
And none of that means a damn thing until he proves that he can do it on this stage. And he won’t have the pieces to prove that he can do it on this stage for at least a couple of seasons.
Thank you for again bringing the most in depth Coyote related news coverage. Army did himself proud on this hire and gives us hope for a better product on the ice. It will take time to become true contenders but I enjoy a competitive game, win or lose, where our boys are giving it all they can. I support players, not the jerseys on their back so I want to see everyone get a chance to do their best regardless of their name or their fame. His connection to Halifax bodes well for a good outcome for Conor Garland. His time with Moncton only overlapped The Bears last year and The Conor first year but given his relationships with those in the area I'm sure he's more aware than most how The Conor rose to the top CHL scorer for two years. I believe The Conor will be treated fairly in contract negotiations and/or trades with character people like The Doaner and The Bear in the mix.
I am actually very curious what he thinks about Garland.
Sounds like the kind of coach that can do just well in the draft room as they can behind the bench. But the most exciting word I'm hearing used to describe him: Culture builder. As a Iowa State Cyclone fan, I'm seeing the absolute wonders that can come from having a culture builder at the helm of the football program. Obviously he has to go out and do it, and there are plenty of differences...but I think this Yotes team is in need of a culture build. Hopefully ownership is ready for the struggles that will come with this experience over the next couple years.
Cautiously optimistic for the long term future.
Embrace the race to #1.
You're not far off.
He's not one of the usual re-tread coaching hires. Meruello and GMBA want to try new things because the usual stuff hasn't worked here. There really isn't a good road ahead for the Yotes franchise, but the Bear could find a way that could pay off. I look at where Carolina was Tom Dundon took over, and where they are now... and I have expectations.
Like his attitude and that great self effacing line:
"I won coach of the year in the Q and I always joke that it was because they could not understand what I was saying.”
Curious to know who Armstrong was referring to when he commented during the press conf:
"There’s kind of a famous story of an organization I kind of grew up in where we went and got a great player but the coach didn‘t like him and he never played him...."
Me, too. :) He didn't name names on purpose.
Barrett Hayton! I kid.
It sounds to me that we have another cornerstone piece along with Chychrun, Kemper/Hill and Garland. Love the response of how effective Andre will be with Crouse, Pitlick, Lybushkin, Hayton and others that a need push to be more than effective. Love your product Craig, keep up the effective sports/Coyotes journalism.
Thanks, Mike. I really appreciate you subscribing.